Summer is synonymous with barbecues. Whether you’re grilling on one of Weidner’s community grills or on your private deck or patio, here are a few recipes, rules and reminders to keep you grillin’ and chillin’ safely and with panache this summer!

Weidner Grill Rules

As you will note in your Resident Handbook, “A charcoal barbecue grill or other open-flame cooking devices may be stored on patio areas, depending on code restrictions enforced by the local municipality. Please refer to your lease contract for any restrictions regarding the use/storage of a barbecue on your patio or balcony. Liquefied-petroleum-gas-fueled cooking devices and containers, including portable camping-type containers, are NOT ALLOWED.” See page 10 of the Resident Handbook.

Mouthwatering Recipes

Now that we’ve got that important reminder out there, here are some recipes to try out this summer season:

For those of you located in cities where the seafood is fresh and easily accessible, this recipe is sure to become a quick favorite. Your friends, family, and neighbors will think you labored over this all day, but this easy shrimp and pineapple recipe is ready in under 30 minutes.

In May 2017, Weidner Apartment Homes held the “Weidner Cares!” community service days in Midland and Abilene, Texas.

Midland, TX

The Weidner Cares Team recently partnered with Casa de Amigos in Midland, TX, where 120 volunteers helped paint, clean, and organize their facility. According to their website, “Casa de Amigos is a multicultural neighborhood center that provides comprehensive services in four main areas: Adult and Youth Education, Social Services, Health & Wellness and Senior Services. They offer a variety of services such as ESL classes, medical care, childcare, job counseling services, a senior citizen day center, and much more.”

The Weidner Cares Team repainted, deep-cleaned, and replaced flooring in the nursery of the facility. They also cleaned and organized the storage room, garage, and computer room. The board room, doctor’s office, and 3 of the classrooms received a much needed new coat of paint. The kitchen was cleaned and painted and the library was redesigned with a new house-shaped book shelf and seating area. More than 1,000 books were sorted and organized. Outside, the playground was painted, cleaned, and new shade tarps were added. Additionally, the basketball court received a makeover with a fresh coat of paint on the benches and new games were added to the court.

The Casa de Amigos team was appreciative and excited, and Executive Director Tonya Eckert commented, “Everybody loves to come into an environment that feels good and looks good. This is just is so inviting. Our clients are going to be so astounded to see the changes that were made in just a 24-hour period. We cannot say how much we appreciate the change this will make for our clients.”

Abilene, TX

In Abilene, TX, the Weidner Cares team partnered with the City of Abilene’s Neighborhood Initiative, working specifically in the Alameda Neighborhood. Over the past few years, the City of Abilene has been working to clean up some of these under resourced neighborhoods in order to help revitalize the community, and empower their residents to help change perceptions surrounding where they live.

The Weidner Cares Team painted and repaired two houses in the neighborhood of Abilene, TX. The team replaced siding on the houses which had been damaged by termites and carpenter ants, donated new air conditioning units to the owners and landscaped the yards of both houses.

Miss Marie, an Alameda resident for some 60 years is elderly with a family that lives out of town. She needed help with her lawn in addition to various repairs around the house. Marie was very happy to take a look at her newly renovated home. “To me, this neighborhood is just as good as the richest neighborhood. It’s just memories here and the love that I had here in this house.”

Homeowner, Miss Shelly is surviving on a fixed income while caring for her brother who has a disability. Her home received a coat of fresh paint from the Weidner Cares Team as well as exterior landscaping and repairs. Jerry Heald is Weidner’s Regional Maintenance Director for Texas and commented, “A lot of times we get wrapped up in our own world and we do not realize that there’s a lot of needs out there. And now we are able to see beyond the horizon of our own lives and see that there are a lot of needs out there and we can give back just a little bit to help in that area.”

Thank you to all the volunteers on the Weidner Cares team for your dedication and talent on these important projects. To the City of Abilene and the team at Casa de Amigos, we thank you for the opportunity to make a small difference in these vibrant communities.

Nothing says “Surprise!” like opening up your utility bill after a hot summer month. Rising temperatures can mean a huge jump in utility costs with air conditioners running at their peak performance and the fridge working harder than usual. Here are a few tips to lower your summer utility bill so you can save surprises for birthdays and unexpected gifts like new cars and ponies.

A Room with a Cool View

Windows aren’t just for admiring the view. If you live in a climate that cools down at night, consider the possibility of opening the window and letting the cool air in while you sleep. If you’re concerned about security, try an adjustable lock that slides into the ledge of the window and lets you control the width of the opening. In the morning, shut the windows and blinds to keep the cool air in.

Mind Your Thermostat

Make sure to keep the temperature in your apartment home consistent and don’t set the thermostat too low or it can freeze the air conditioner, rendering it useless. For the best average savings, try setting it at 78°F. Close the vents to rooms you aren’t using and keep your closet doors closed. No need to cool off those winter coats!

Get Some Fans

Everyone needs a few fans – with or without paparazzi. Ceiling and floor fans can increase efficiency in home cooling, allowing you to raise the thermostat a few degrees. Remember to turn off all fans when you exit the room.

Keep the Appliances in Check

Make sure to unplug appliances that are not in use. Turn off lights that you aren’t using, as they give off indirect heat that accumulates in the apartment home and raises the temperature. Wash full loads of dishes and clothes and consider running the dishwasher at night, after peak hours. You can also turn off the “dry” cycle on the dishwasher and let the dishes drip dry. If you turn it on at night, they’ll be dry by morning. If your apartment home has an in-unit washer and dryer, try washing your clothes in cold water and drying lighter items on hangers in the bathroom or on a drying rack in your living room. Please don’t hang your laundry on the patio. We appreciate your style, but it doesn’t do much for our curb appeal. Avoid using too much electricity during the afternoon when energy rates run higher.

Get Cool at the Pool

Take a refreshing swim in the pool and cool down your core body temperature. You’ll get all the benefits of feeling cool without spending any extra money.

Implementing these few tips can save you money over time and take the surprise out of your utility bill.